mograth



July 24, 1923 W. L. MCGRATH ENGI NE STARTER Filed Oct. l, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l mfr/csf;

July 24, l923- 1,462,973

w. l.. MCGRATH ENGINE STARTER Filed Oct. 1-, 1919 2 santi-sheet 2 Patented July 24, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. MUGBATH, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ENGINE STARTER.

Application tiled October 1, 1919.

To all whom it mm concern.'

I Be it known that WILLIAM L. MCGRATH, acitizen of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, .have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine Starters, of which the following is a speciication. Y y

.My invention relates to an engine starter for the purpose of starting an.` engine such .as an internall .combustion engine, and the dix' drive but which differs therefrom in that the drive is not automatically engaged or meshedl with the driving member of the engine as an incident to the 'startingof the motor, but is caused to be meshed by manual or foot operation, provision being also made for the automatic closing of the motor switch when Vthe driving member or pinion has thus been placedjin mesh with the engine member. By preference, the nianual means in its initial movementV effects a artial engagement ormesh between the riving member or pinion and the engine mem* ber whereupon complete engagement or mesh and final drivin is automatically effected by the wer o the motor which has been automatically started by the further movement of such manual means.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a sectional eie-4 vation of a starting system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a, vertical section on the line 2--2 of iig. 1; Fig. 3 a. detail view of a modified form of construction; but omitf tin the switch such'as is shown in Fig. 1; am? Fig. 4 an elevation partly in section of a clutch used .in said modification.

The structure illustrated in the drawings is selected as one embodiment of my mvention, but it will be understood that such embodiment thereof may partake of different forms without:'de ar-ting from the spirit andi scope of suc invention. Moreover whilef I have shown the -single reduction or direct type of drive from the starting mo- Serial No. 327,754.

tor it will be understood that the double reduction or indirect method may be em- Iployed. Further while I have shown the sri-called inboard type of drive in which the driving member or pinion moves toward the motor when going into mesh with th'e engine member, the outboard type in which the driving member or pinion moves outwardly at such time may be employed.

As shown the prime mover is an electric motor 1 having an extended armature shaft 2 extending through the end plate 3 of the motor frame with a bearing therein and having an outer bearing at 4 in the outer end of a housing 5, which is attached by the screws 6 to the bracket 7. This bracket is in the present instance a part of the frame of the automobile engine whose fly Wheel 8 is exposed to the drive. The armature shaft which is the drive shaft of the drive or transmission also has an intermediate bearing 9 formed in the extended outer end of the' bracket 10 projecting from the end plate 3 of the motor. This bearino' 9 supports the enlarged portion 1l of the driving shaft 2, which portion forms avstop for the pinion as hereinafter described.

Upon the intermediate portion of the drive shaft is mounted a screw shaft 12, which has at its outer end a driven head 13. Upon the screw-threaded portion of this shaft is screw-threaded the driving member which is here in the form of a pinion 14, adapted to mesh with the gear of the Hywheel 8.

The driven head 13 of the screw shaft is operative] connected with a driving head 15 throng the medium of a coiled sprin 16 whose opposite ends are anchored to suc heads respectively by the studs 17 and 18. The screw shaft and its head 13 are not secured to the driving shaft 2 but float thereon, but the driving head l5 is secured to such shaft 2 so that its motion may be communicated thereto and also the motion or rotation of the shaft2 may be communicated to such head 15. This driving head 15 is provided with an outwardly extending sleeve 19 which has gear teeth 20 formed thereon..

These gear teeth 20 mesh with the rack teeth 21 formed toward the lower end of a. plunger 22 which is guided by and adapted to slide vertically in the housin 5. Normall this plunger is in an upwar position wit -Wires *29. to "the motor, Vt

its teeth in mesh with the teeth 2O of the driving head,such position being normally maintained by the coiled spring 23 bearing respectively against the housing 5 and-the ihoqdZll atitlle top oftthe plunger. .This plunger is 'limited in its-,upward movement y means of a collar 25 secured to the lower end of the plunger by the cot'ter pin 26.

The plun er is so positioned that when it is depresse to its 'lowermost -position as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 1, it will con- V tact and depress the movableelement 27 of 4 a suitable lectric switch 28 with the result 4'that when such element is so depressed the electric current4 will be ySupplied through the er'eby operating auch motor- :Describin a cycle of operation and beginning ,u'iti the parts intheir normal'po- Fig.- 1,the ;1rst Step is 'the ,il pression ofthe `lunger 29. with the re- '.resultthauthe 'drivinghead `15 is rotated "and .the screw shat-t2 likewise rotated. Thereupon the pinion 14 willbe caused to 25 4pattini;altioally z advance longitudinally of 3 with ,the 'illy W, eel

.the .pinion will `,such shaft. ad'nto mesh with the fly wheel Q8. By preference `the A construction is such that fthe initial movement of the plunger -GllSeS .only a a'rtial Vmesh of the pinion ear instead of a full mesh, such ll m .being automatically e 'Wt'lienthepinionis thus in partial me'sh, the .switch 32,8 'will be operated and thejntorfotatem whereupon full mesh of be'ected and the drive thereupon operated `b y the power of the motor. As soon as `the engine Vstarts on its own power the A.pllinii'in 141s `automatically demeshed ,from t ,ily wheel and returned e :t0 .normal .position as shown.

'The ,plunger 223ml theswitch 28 are so positioned end related one to the other that `}wh e,u :the Switch ;28 Eis Aoperated and the motor .started the l.pinion 14 is in partial mesh with the 'ily wheel, and the rack teeth havefully .cleared the yteeth 20 of thedrivhead,.which teeth now `occupy the space t3O.in the .cutaway portion on one side of such lnnger. The switch is operated at Athe fxly depressed positionof the plunger and when such plunger is permitted to rise even ashort distance the switch 28 is opened andthe current cut ofi from the starting motor. ,Howeven Vat this time the plunger cannot .necessarily rise to its normal position becausethe riving shaft-and the teeth 20 may then be :rotating but as .soon as suchparts cease to rotate the plunger 22 will .belpergnitted to rise, .at which time it will l rotate the zdriving head 15 in the opposite direction.

In 3 and 4 I have 1shown amodified :form-,of construction .in which provision is made for the return of the plunger to normal position even during the operation of zadopted. to givesuch full .mesh 4not preerred.

4'ober adapted to enga the drive or transmission: that is. during thetime of the rotation-,of the driving head 15. Such provision consists of the employment-between the teeth 20 and the driving .head 15 oi' a one-way clutch. .Describing the construction shown, the driving head 36in one of said members, and adapted to 'form the driving connection between such members 'when rotating in one direction only. It is evident that after the plunger has b een depressed for `the performance of its functions itl is `free'l to rise at the moment when the voperator releases his pressure thereon.

As above stated, it is preferred that the manual means should .give only a partial mesh leaving it to the motor to complete the mesh. This .is for the purpose of' giving the motor a runningstart instead of imposing a full load thereon immediately upon the closing of the switch, as would be the case if the pinion were'then 'in full mesh. Obviously, the manual means could be but this is Iclaim:

1. In an engine starter the combination otamelectric motor and its electrical con nections including aswitch. a rotatable shaft driven by the motor, a driving meme amember of the engine to'bestarted an mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof when rotated to thereupon engage such engine -merber ,and 'for-'rotary movement therewith' henlin engagement with the engine member, and manually operated means 'for initially rotating the shaft to cause said driving member to so move longitudinally .and thereby cause engagement of said members and ,for subsequently closing said switch -to start the motor.

2. In an engine Vstarter .the combination -of an electric motor and its electrical connections including aswitch, a rotatable shaft driven by the motor. a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof when rotated to 'thereupon engage such engine member and for rotary movement t erewith when in engagement with `the'engine member, and manuallyoperated means for initially rotating the shaft to cause-said driving member to so -move longitudinally and therebycause engagement of-said members and for subsequently closing said switch to start the motor, such means including a reciprocating member operatively connected with the shaft and adapted tocooperate with the switch.

3. In an engine starter, the combination of an electric motor and its electrical connections including a switch, a rotatable shaft driven by the motor, a driving member adapted to engage a member` of the engine to be started and mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof when rotated to thereupon engage such engine member and for rotary lmovement therewith when in engagement with the engine member, and manually operated means for initially rotating the shaft to cause said driving member to so move longitudinally and thereby cause engagement of said 4members and for subsequently closing said switch to start the motor, such means including a pinionconnected with the shaft, a reciprocating rack cooperating with the pinion to rotate it and the shaft said switch bein disposed in the path of travel of the rac and operated thereby after it has rotated the pinion.

4. In an engine starter, the combination of an electric motor and its electrical connections including a switch, a rotatable shaft driven by the motor, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started jandmounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof when rotated'to'thereugon engage such engine member and for rotary movement therewith whenin engagement with the engine member, and manually o erated means for initially` rotating the s aft to cause said driving member to so move longitudinally and thereby cause engagement of said members and for subsequently closing said switch to start the motor, such means including a reciprocating member operatively yieldingly connected with the shaft and adapted to cooperate with the switch.

.5. In an engine starter, the combination of an electric motor and its electrical connections including a switch, a rotatable shaft driven by the motor, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement there-j of when rotated to thereupon engage suchr engine member and for rotary movement therewith when in engagement with the engine member, and manually operated means for initially rotating the shaft to cause said driving member to so move longitudinally and thereby cause engagement of said members and for subsequently closing said switch to start the motor, such means including a reciprocating member operatively connected with the shaft and adapted to rment therewith,-such pinion being adapted to mesh with a member of the envgine to be started, and manually operated means for'initially rotating such shaft to cause partial mesh between the pinion and the engine Vmember and for subsequently closing the switch to start the motor and rotate the shaft to automatically completethe mesh and then to rotate the pinion to start the engine.

7. In. an engine starter drive, the combination of a motor-driven rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for automatic longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, manually operated means for rotating -such shaft to cause initial automatic longitudinal movement of the drivingmember, and means for -automatically completing the longitudinal movement of the driving member.

8.`In an engine starter drive, the combination of a motor driven rotatable screw shaft, a driving member screw-threaded thereon for automatic longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, manually operated means for rotating such shaft t0 cause initial automatic longitudinal movement of the driving member, and means for automatically com leting the longitudinal movement of the rivin'g member.

9. In an engine starter drive, the combination -of a motor, a rotatable shaft driven thereby, adriving member mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, manually operated means for rotating such shaft to cause such automatic longitudinal movement of the driving member, and a one-Way clutch between such means and shaft, said means and motor operating successively in the same starting operation.

10. In an engine starter drive, the combination of a motor7 a rotatable shaft driven "thereby, a driving member mounted on the shaft for automatic longitudinal movement thereof when such sha-ft is rotated and for rotary movement therewith, a plunger oper- -atively connected with the shaft to rotate it, and a one-way clutch interposed in the connection between the plunger and shaft, said plunger and motor operating successively in the same starting operation.

1l. An engine starter drive including a motor driven rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for automatic longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, a manually operated member,

.nation ofv a motor and .means `between .-such latter member andthe drive .adapted to rotate .the shaft for causing engagement between ,the

drivingimember andaa member .of the enlgine to be started. and ralso v.adapted f to :perl.mit power operation 'of -.tlie rdrive without .affecting Said manually .operated -Jiienilaer 12. Inan engine starter .drive,.the combidrivenrotatable shaft, a .driving member mounted Ythereon .foreuto- :matie longitudinal .movement thereof when =rotated to thereupon .engage a member of the engine to be 'started,and for rotary movement therewith, a .driving t head .operatively` connected with the.shaft,'a pinion connected with such head, manually operated means for initially,rotatingtheqiiiiion and therebyrotating theishaftyaiid means vfor automatically further 4rotating .-said shaft.

13. .Ini an fengine .starter drive, the;.combi mation .otra motor, arotatable shaftdriven ithereby, 1a .driving member mounted on .the .shaft for automatic longitudinalmovement thereof when rotatedtothereupon'engage a nnember of the engine to be started .andfor rotary movement therewith, a-diiving head operatively eonnectediwitlrtlie shaft. afpin- -ion connected with-such. head, .and manually operated Lmeans for rotating the :pinion .thereby rotating :the shaft,fsuch'imeaiis-,eon- .sistingof -a ,plunger provided with ait-ack .meshing with the pinion, .-said `means and =motor .operating successively in the -same :starting `operation.

14. -In an--.engine.'starter drive, the Tcombi- 'nation f of 1 a .motor driven rotatableliaft, a driving member mounted thereonfor auto- ,matic longitudinal-movement vthereof when .rotated .to thereupon-engage a member .of l theengine to .bei started and-for rotarymovement therewith, a l driving. head operatively `ieeinnected with .the shaft, -a lpinion, atonewavcluteh connecting the head i V.and manually ,operated .means for rotating and pinion,

thegpinion Vand thereby rotating :the shaft.

.15. ln. an aenginei-starter drive, the .combi- `nation of aimotor driven :rotatable driving sha ft, fa hollow -screw shaftr mounted :there- .on and .driven thereby, adrivirw'y member :screwthreaded :onthe Screw shaft .for Yautomatic .longitudinal movement ywhen such `shaft-is rotated` 4a driving .headeecured to `the driving shaft and operatively connected Awith the Ascrew-shaft, .manually operated. :means :for initially :rotating such head, and means for automatically further 'rotating .said head.

16. In an;l engine `etarter drive, the combi nation ,of Aa :motor driven .rotatable driving afnemers .for automatically .further rotating vsaid IheaLl.

17. liiaii engine starter, the .combination =of a-motordriven .driving-shaft, a casing .having bearings for zsuch shaft, a hollow shaft mounted on .the driving shaft and driven thereby, va driving member mounted on the hollow .shaft for automatic longitu idinal movement thereof and .rotary move- ..ment therewith, and manu-ally operated meanssfor. rotating the hollow shaft to cause such automatic .longitudinal movement of `tlie 4.driving 'inember, such .means being mounted in saidcasing.

Alfln an engine starter, the combination of a motor .driven driving Yshaft, a .casing .having bearings forbsuch shaft, .a hollow shaft mounted on the drivino .shaft and A`driven thereby, a drivingrmemlier mounted .on the .hollowshaft for .automatic longitu- 1dinal movement .thereof .and .rotary move- .ment therewith, .and fmanually .operated vmeans fonrotating .tlielhollowL shaft to cause such automaticglongitudinal .movement voi' .the driving. member, such .means .consisting -.of a .pluri er :operatively connected with .the.latter.s aft and and .mounted to recip- .recate insuch casing.

.19. .In ian .engine starter fdrive, the coinvdiinationnf a .motor drivenrotatable shaft, .a 1.' driving member. .mounted .thereon for .au- ,tomatie longitudinal .movement thereof and .for notary movement therewith, 4a housing :sup orting vsaid shaft, and manually oper `ate .means Amounted in .such rhoiisiV and .operatively .connected vwith the .shzlit for l.rotating it .-.to Vcause such automatic `longitudinal movement of the driving member.

.20. =In1an engine .starter device, the com .binationof an engine membera motor, a rotatable. shaftfdriven by .said.motor, a driving member mounted therconfor automatic .longitudinal movement ythereof and for rotary .movement therewith, .andt manually' opxeratedinieans.for..rotatingsaid shaft to move .saiddriving member into initial engagement 1 .'ber.

WILLIAM .L '.MCGRA'IH.

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